With the rapid growth of Vietnam’s economy, more and more people enter the country to seek new opportunities, leading to an increasing demand for Vietnam work permits. Because of cultural differences, foreigners may encounter many struggles when dealing with administrative procedures in Vietnam. This article serves as a useful guide providing information on the requirements, duration, and cost associated with work permit applications in Vietnam.
Vietnam Work Permit is an official certificate issued by Vietnamese government that grants foreign employees the legal right to work in Vietnam and ensures they have legitimate rights and protections. This certificate is issued by competent authorities of the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs.
When do you have to obtain a work permit in Vietnam? You may need to get a work permit if you are foreigners who enter Vietnam for the following purposes:
It’s worth noting that foreigners cannot directly apply for a Vietnam work permit unless they have the assistance of their employing company. You should check for the latest requirements of a Vietnam work permit to make sure that your documents are eligible under Vietnamese law.
For a work permit application to be accepted, foreign employees must fully satisfy the following conditions:
For experts:
For technicians:
For managers:
A Vietnam work permit is initially valid for up to 2 years, and you can renew your work permit once for an additional 2-year period. If there is any changes in position or company, you may need to apply for a new work permit.
Once you have a clear understanding of the specific requirements for obtaining a Vietnam work permit, you can proceed to the next section, which will delve into the process of applying for work permit issuance.
The best time to start applying for Work Permit issuance is 30 days prior to the intended start date of employment. You also need to gather all the required documents before submitting your application.
If your documents are issued by a foreign country or not written in Vietnamese, you may have to get consular authentication and notarized translations before submitting them to government bodies.
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As previously mentioned, you cannot apply for a Vietnam work permit independently. There are several steps in the work permit application process that require the involvement of your company.
Make sure you check out the step-by-step guide below to understand how the process of issuing a work permit in Vietnam works.
1. Apply for hiring foreign worker acceptance
This step shall be performed by your employers. The employers are required to submit a request form to the Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs, indicating their intention to hire a foreign employee. There are two methods of submission:
Within 12 working days from the date of submission, the competent authorities will communicate the results of your work permit application to your company via email. Upon receiving the approval email, the employer must promptly submit the original documents directly to the competent authority in the respective area. Within 8 hours, the original approval result will be returned to the employer.
2. Submit documentation for a work permit
You must submit your application, including the documents listed above, at least 15 days prior to the intended start date of employment. Once your documentation is complete and deemed valid, you will be required to pay the issuance fee. Subsequently, you will be provided with an appointment for the return date, typically scheduled for 5 working days thereafter.
3. Receive your work permit
Make sure to show up at the designated authority on the scheduled appointment date. If your application is approved, you will receive your work permit certificate, enabling you to legally participate in the labor market in Vietnam.
The work permit is also a crucial certificate required in other subsequent proceedings, such as obtaining Temporary Resident Cards (TRC) and Work Visas in Vietnam.
The total processing time for obtaining a Vietnam work permit typically ranges from 20 – 30 working days, including the duration for applying for a foreigner employment allowance (~15 days) and applying for a work permit itself (~5 days). It’s imperative to make sure that the starting date of your job falls after the completion of this processing duration.
The cost of obtaining a new work permit varies depending on the province or city where your workplace is located. The registering fee for work permit issuance is 400,000 VND in Hanoi and 600,000 VND in Ho Chi Minh City. These rates are subject to change and are dependent on the regulations of the specific province.
The process of getting a work permit in Vietnam involves several proceedings and can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Even local residents face many difficulties when navigating these procedures, let alone foreigners who may be unfamiliar with the paperwork and requirements involved.
Translation plays an important role in getting the approval of a work permit application from the competent authorities. A low-quality translation may cause significant complications in the long run. It’s crucial to find a reputable translation agency that can deliver professional translations in accordance with governmental protocols.
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